Vineyard machinery value preservation

(Nov. 2019/OM) - Climate, tartaric acid and chemicals require the best possible corrosion protection for winemaking machinery. For this, one manufacturer successfully relies on a specially adapted paint system.

ERO GmbH is Germany's largest manufacturer of viticultural equipment and machinery for use in outdoor viticulture. Their products, such as the self-propelled grape harvesters, are particularly exposed to tartaric acid and chemicals. "Our machines are also used in the USA, Australia and South Africa. Reliable corrosion protection is essential for transport by sea," says Georg Ehlen, Head of Production at ERO, describing another challenge.

In 2014, the management of ERO planned to centralize production and build a new plant "on the greenfield". To improve corrosion protection, electrostatic powder coating in particular was to be applied, because in the past the 2C wet paint often provided insufficient protection against the aggressive tartaric acid. Until now, the powder coating had been outsourced. Since ERO continues to use wet paint for the majority of its components, it wanted to have a system provider at its side who could supply all color shades coordinated across systems from a single source.

At PaintExpo 2016 in Karlsruhe, ERO met the experts from Karl Bubenhofer AG. "Both are family businesses with lean structures. We understood each other immediately and communicated at eye level from day one. Together with Geholit+Wiemer, we were able to provide ERO with competent advice as a system supplier in both powder and wet paint issues. The matching of different color shades between wet and powder coating requested by ERO was proof of our competence," says Markus Ammann, Area Manager at Kabe Pulverlack Deutschland GmbH. The house colors ERO Red and Gray, which are outside the RAL range, as well as the Orange of the Binger product range were recreated, tested on sample panels and submitted after the required corrosion tests.

The range of parts at ERO is very versatile in terms of shape and color, but is limited to smaller batches of up to 50 pieces. For this reason, the entire coating process was designed for manual operation. For the wall thicknesses of one to ten millimeters, the low-temperature powder coating Polyflex PES-166-NT from Karl Bubenhofer AG is the optimum solution. "This special powder coating for exterior use is convincing with its high cost-effectiveness and flexibility in production. It is also extremely mechanically and chemically resistant, which is a great advantage in the tartaric acid environment," says Markus Ammann.

ERO coats the parts in a two-layer process. First, they are primed with the Polyflex EP-20-NT-GU Korroflex Primer with 80 micrometers. After baking and cooling, the parts are powder coated with glossy low-temperature powder coating. Baking is done in two chamber ovens at 190-2000C for a maximum of 30 minutes. For each part, the curing time was checked and determined in advance by Karl Bubenhofer AG. "The well thought-out process and the central location of the paint shop in the center of the new plant ensure lean, ergonomic and economical production," explains Production Manager Ehlen.

Looking back, Georg Ehlen particularly appreciates the high level of technical understanding, the advice that goes far beyond painting, and the uncomplicated service. As a newcomer, ERO had to learn a lot about powder coating and was happy about the comprehensive assistance. "Even today, we can call the experts in the Kabe powder coating department and know that we will be helped immediately. This support has contributed greatly to the quick start-up and success of the new coating in house," says Georg Ehlen. The primer-powder coating combination is the guarantor for long-lasting corrosion protection. Matched to the wet paint from Geholit+Wiemer, a system is available that has no color deviations, offers excellent protection and ensures ERO's customers a high level of investment protection for their winemaking equipment.

ERO GmbH
www.ero.eu

Karl Bubenhofer AG
www.kabe-farben.ch